Kaeng Krachen NP, Thailand 8-13 March 2013

[Painted Jezebel]

Five of us have recently spent some time in this large Thai National Park. Antonio and I arrived a couple of days earlier than Ellen, Nelson and LC.

I would like to thank Antonio for driving me from, and particularly to the ferry, as well as to the park during our stay.

Below is a taster, showing a couple of butterflies we saw on the first full day, before the others arrived, and which were not seen again.

LD1 - A few butts that were hanging around!
LD2 - Charaxes solon sulphureus (Black Rajah). This specimen appears rather pale.
LD3 - Papilio (Chilasa) slateri slateri (Blue-Striped Mime). Definitely this subspecies, as I saw the blue veins on the upperside. The more southern subspecies lacks these blue veins.

[Bluebottle]

Wooo... delicious appetizer :)
Keep it coming

[Silverstreak]

No wonder Nelson did not respond to my sms !!! With so many butts around ......no time to reply!:bsmile:

[bluefin]

No wonder Nelson did not respond to my sms !!! With so many butts around ......no time to reply!:bsmile:

Hahaha, with so many butts flying around me, I can't even see what is in front of me. :)

[Glorious Begum]

Haha..where got time to reply. All of our mobiles are on Airplane mode. :bsmile:

I would like to thank Antonio for the rides. Nelson for the trip and Les and Ellen for the company.

Just a couple of shot first.

The Butterfly Whisperer. Haha..just kidding.

http://www.pbase.com/lcgoh/image/149202029.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/lcgoh/image/149202028.jpg

[bluefin]

Thanks to all for the great company and banter. It was great fun. :drinks:
Antonio has been our trusted legs bringing us from point to point. :)
Let's get rolling....


1. Badamia exclamatonis (Brown Awl)

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8517/8557588726_385142dcf8_c.jpg



2.Pseudocoladenia dan dhyana (Fulvous Pied Flat)

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8384/8556480169_a21f43922a_c.jpg



3. Graphium xenocles (The Great Zebra)

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8238/8557596788_f5faf4c946_c.jpg



Please feel free to correct and add IDs where ever possible

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8236/8557600124_fc68a5a7c6_c.jpg

[Green Imperial]

WOW. What a sight! :what:
Wish i would have a chance to experience it too.

Also, nice post Les, LC & Nelson.

[WillFolsom]

JUST TERRIFIC! William

[Painted Jezebel]

Nelson, your No. 2 is Pseudocoladenia dan dhyana (Fulvous Pied Flat).

Adding a couple of shots to compliment Nelson's post.
LD4 - Upperside of Badamia exclamationis (Brown Awl). Not pristine, but rare to find one sunbathing!
LD5 - Upperside of Graphium xenocles lindos (Great Zebra)

[Angiud]

Sorry if I don't answer, but I'm still travelling, today just back from a visit to Khao Phanom Bencha N.P. ;-)

[bluefin]

4. Celaenorrhinus leucocera (Common Spotted Flat)

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8370/8560260942_9ebcbd7bcb_c.jpg



5. Athyma ranga obsolescens (Black Veined Sergeant)

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8088/8560255562_f8692f3f5d_c.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8236/8559162299_21f81e447e_c.jpg



6. Hypolycaena erylus (Common Tit) Male

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8111/8560264564_705fe4984c_c.jpg



7. Graphium aristeus (Striped Swordtail)

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8511/8559159631_a017383a76_c.jpg



Overcrowding!!!
I believe both Graphium nomius and Graphium aristeus are found in this picture.
I saw one Graphium nomius in there.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8088/8560260050_670137761d_c.jpg



It is rather difficult to get a clear shot of single puddling butterflies as most of the time they congregate together in groups.

[Painted Jezebel]

The Flat (No. 4) is, I think, Celaenorrhinus leucocera (Common Spotted Flat). There are several very similar species, but the hindwing yellow spots are obscure and there is a white costal spot above the cell spot. This species appears to be rare south of Bangkok, with very few reports.

There is a Graphium nomius in the photo, towards the top lefthand corner. I saw one too, but as you say, it is impossible to get a viable photo of a single specimen in a writhing mass of butterflies.

[Psyche]

The Flat (No. 4) is, I think, Celaenorrhinus leucocera (Common Spotted Flat). There are several very similar species, but the hindwing yellow spots are obscure and there is a white costal spot above the cell spot. This species appears to be rare south of Bangkok, with very few reports.

There is a Graphium nomius in the photo, towards the top lefthand corner. I saw one too, but as you say, it is impossible to get a viable photo of a single specimen in a writhing mass of butterflies.

Agreed it is C. leucocera.
The white antennae indicates male & the similar C. putra in addtion has a sharper forewing.
http://yutaka.it-n.jp/hes/90480010.html

TL Seow:cheers:

[Peacock Royal]

Wow, so many butts :what:.
Beautiful shots, Nelson.:thumbsup:
Time to travel further north :thinking:

[Painted Jezebel]

Wow, so many butts :what:.


We have not started yet!

[Painted Jezebel]

Continuing the drip-feeding!

LD6 - Papilio castor mahadeva (Burmese Raven). Previously considered a seperate species, Papilio mahadeva.
LD7 - Neptis species. The narrow cell stripe makes me think it may be Neptis nata gononata (Sullied Brown Sailor), but confirmation, one way or another would be appreciated. - CONFIRMED

[Peacock Royal]

We have not started yet!
Can't wait to see. Please get started.
Is early to mid June a good time to visit Bangkok (hope it is not a rainy season) ?

[Glorious Begum]

Initially thought this was a Common Rose and just took a couple of shots. Haha.. didn't know that it was A.adamsoni that I wanted from 2008 Koh Samui trip in 2008.

Atrophaneura adamsoni

http://www.pbase.com/lcgoh/image/149225965.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/lcgoh/image/149225966.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/lcgoh/image/149225967.jpg

[bluefin]

Thanks Fed, KKNP is worth a visit as the quantity of butterflies that you see is truly amazing.
Yano will be most happy to welcome you in Bangkok. :)


Let's continue.....



8. Libythea myrrha (Club Beak)

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8109/8561216733_e541385265_c.jpg



9.Libythea narina rohini (White-spot Beak)

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8378/8561172039_cbb8df6d38_c.jpg



10. Odontoptilum angulatum (Chestnut Angle)

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8517/8562270768_eaf92f4d82_c.jpg



11. Euploea camaralzeman camaralzeman (Blue King Crow)

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8105/8562272386_183dcd3da5_c.jpg



12. Euploea sylvester (Plain Blue Crow)

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8518/8561169287_c464995c88_c.jpg



13. Graphium megarus megapenthes (Spotted Zebra)

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8251/8560823091_6e79c0cb7b_c.jpg



14. Remelana jangala (Chocalate Royal)

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8086/8562277134_4cd7e556e5_c.jpg

[Painted Jezebel]

Initially thought this was a Common Rose and just took a couple of shots. Haha.. didn't know that it was A.adamsoni that I wanted from 2008 Koh Samui trip in 2008.

Atrophaneura adamsoni



Yes, you have the species right. Unfortunately you have the ssp. wrong. What we saw was Atrophaneura adamsoni adamsoni, and it is about as far south as it goes. The ssp. on Samui is A. adamsoni takakoae. I will show the obvious differences later.

[Painted Jezebel]

Nelson, thank for the Beaks. Please note that the L. myrrra ssp. is L. myrrha sanguinolis, the northern ssp. as opposed to L. myrrha hecura which is found in Malaysia. I just wish I had managed to get a decent shot of L. geoffroy alompra, which I saw a couple of times.

That is a great underside shot of the Chestnut Angle. Very difficult to obtain.

[Glorious Begum]

Nelson, thank for the Beaks. Please note that the L. myrrra ssp. is L. myrrha sanguinolis, the northern ssp. as opposed to L. myrrha hecura which is found in Malaysia. I just wish I had managed to get a decent shot of L. geoffroy alompra, which I saw a couple of times.

That is a great underside shot of the Chestnut Angle. Very difficult to obtain.

Damn.. so when is the right time to visit Koh Samui ?

[Psyche]

Post 16.

It looks correct for N. nata . Narrow cellstripe; spot 3 (small) well within submarginal spot ;underside FW lower submarginal spots not flattened.


Post 19.
It is very confusing to ID the Crows from the undersides, But I think
11 is E. modesta ;HW rounded spots; FW discal spot in space 2 (partly hidden) small.

12 is E. sylvester. ;Hw rounded spots;FW rounded; FW discal spots blue ,spot 2 large; lower FW submarginal spots.

TL Seow:cheers:

[Glorious Begum]

Erites angularis angularis

http://www.pbase.com/lcgoh/image/149227872.jpg

Hypolycaena erylus (Common Tit)

http://www.pbase.com/lcgoh/image/149228108.jpg

Odontoptilum angulatum (Chestnut Angle)

http://www.pbase.com/lcgoh/image/149228115.jpg

[bluefin]

Thanks Les, Seow in assisting to ID the butties. :cheers:



15. Papilio paris paris (Paris Peacock)

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8512/8561928794_9c7bc53971_c.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8103/8561931044_7e51affac8_c.jpg



16. Papilio polytes romulus (Comon Mormon)

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8232/8563792996_829287cdb2_c.jpg



17. Papilio nephalus chaon (Black and White Helen)

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8112/8563782654_ebd404b209_c.jpg



18. Papilio protenor Cramer (Spangle)

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8511/8562801887_de2a5fa4f7_c.jpg

[Painted Jezebel]

Damn.. so when is the right time to visit Koh Samui ?

A very good question. It seems to differ every year! Now is supposed to be good, but it has been appaling recently. Incedentally, I do not have any Beaks here.

[Painted Jezebel]

Beautiful shots as always, Nelson.

However, please note that No. 17 is Papilio nephalus chaon (Black and White Helen, also known as Yellow Helen). This subspecies is as the southernmost part of its range in Kaeng Krachan.

[Painted Jezebel]

Seow, thanks for the Neptis nata confirmation.

LD 8 - Papilio prexaspes pitmani (Lesser Helen or Banded Mormon). This used to be a seperate species but was recently relegated to ssp. status.

LD 9 - My take on the upperside of Papilio paris paris (Paris Peacock). Not as good a photo as Nelson's (naturally), but it does show a bit more of the hindwing.

[Painted Jezebel]

Post 19.
It is very confusing to ID the Crows from the undersides, But I think
11 is E. modesta ;HW rounded spots; FW discal spot in space 2 (partly hidden) small.

12 is E. sylvester. ;Hw rounded spots;FW rounded; FW discal spots blue ,spot 2 large; lower FW submarginal spots.

TL Seow:cheers:

I am pretty sure that one of these was rather large. Euploea camaralzeman camaralzeman should not be discounted, the blue sheen was central, and not at the termen edges. It has been found in Petchaburi. The Malayan subspecies is very different. Mind you, I have difficulty with Euploea undersides as well!

[Glorious Begum]

The Flat (No. 4) is, I think, Celaenorrhinus leucocera (Common Spotted Flat). There are several very similar species, but the hindwing yellow spots are obscure and there is a white costal spot above the cell spot. This species appears to be rare south of Bangkok, with very few reports.

There is a Graphium nomius in the photo, towards the top lefthand corner. I saw one too, but as you say, it is impossible to get a viable photo of a single specimen in a writhing mass of butterflies.

I was using the Butterflies of Thailand book #1. And found out that why you guys called it Striped Swordtail instead of Chain Swordtail untill I flip the book 2. Haha..

[Psyche]

I am pretty sure that one of these was rather large. Euploea camaralzeman camaralzeman should not be discounted, the blue sheen was central, and not at the termen edges. It has been found in Petchaburi. The Malayan subspecies is very different. Mind you, I have difficulty with Euploea undersides as well!

You are quite right.
12, I am fairly confident.

11, I have thought of E. camaralzeman2 because of the long pointed forewing, but the butt is tilted slightly so there was a distortion factor.
The underside of camaralzeman & modesta are practically identical.

Taking another look, I remembered the one clue to its ID , the upperside FW termen ofthe male camaralzeman usually have a few white dots absent in the male modesta.
http://www.ru.ac.th/butterfly/images-butt/Nym-Dan%20Euploea%20camaralzeman%20camaralzeman%20M.jp g

So 11 is correctly E. camaralzeman camaralzeman.

TL Seow:cheers:

[Glorious Begum]

Are these 2 the same ?

Cyrestis cocles cocles (Marbled Map)

http://www.pbase.com/lcgoh/image/149239037.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/lcgoh/image/149239038.jpg

[Painted Jezebel]

Yes, they are both Cyrestis cocles cocles. The dark upper one is f. earli, the pale lower one f. cocles.

[bluefin]

19.Curetis santana

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8509/8563661425_0a3ca04798_c.jpg



20. Curetis bulis

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8251/8562675243_f2d5886080_c.jpg



21 Charaxes athamas

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8244/8561170573_68710b8f9f_c.jpg



22. Thamala marciana (Cardinal)

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8242/8562683365_0eea7e99e3_c.jpg



23. Bindahara phocides phocides (The Plane)
This Plane is surprising small compared to those that we shot in Singapore

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8379/8563780074_402f7957d0_c.jpg


And 2 more shots of this sparkling character.
The second shot is taken without flash.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8374/8563744427_87a6d16039_c.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8528/8563743749_3649c4191c_c.jpg

[Psyche]

Curetis santana & bulis are a nightmare to separate.
The web is full of erroneous images some of my doing.
The most reliable way I can find is to look at the HW postdiscal band & submarginal marks in space 6 & 7.

Curetis santana. HW potdiscal band in space 6 in line with that in space 7; submarginal marks out of alignment in space 6 & 7.
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t9119-E8An8/TeEj9s6FNeI/AAAAAAAAK9g/7YCPQZn4KH0/s1600/MS_adult_05.jpg

Curetis bulis. HW potdiscal band in space 6 shifted inwards of that in space 7; submarginal marks in space 6 & 7 aligned end to end.
http://images.peabody.yale.edu/emu/311/224/311224.jpg

From these
19 is Curetis santana
20 is Curetis bulis.

& 21 is Charaxes athamas . DNA study has shown Polyura belongs to a group of African Charaxes.

Not sure of all the subspecies.

TL Seow:cheers:

[Painted Jezebel]

21 is[I] Charaxes athamas . DNA study has shown Polyura belongs to a group of African Charaxes.

Not sure of all the subspecies.

TL Seow:cheers:

So all the Polyura species are Charaxes species? Would you be kind enough to tell/link me the paper that explains why?

Incedentally, I have a couple of other Curetis photos that may be of interest. I will post them shortly.

[Painted Jezebel]

The Thamala marciana ssp. is of great interest. We have a choice of two out of the three ssp. found in Thailand. There is T. marciana marciana which is the northermost ssp. and then then there is also T. marciana sarupa, which is found in Peninsular Thailand. The third ssp. is only found in the deep south of the Peninsular and can be discounted.

There is no record of this species from Petchaburi Province. So, which one is it, I have no idea!

[Psyche]

So all the Polyura species are Charaxes species? Would you be kind enough to tell/link me the paper that explains why?

Incedentally, I have a couple of other Curetis photos that may be of interest. I will post them shortly.

This is the article 2009 ,initially pointed out by Sunny.
http://nymphalidae.utu.fi/Aduse-Pokuetal2009.pdf

This had been reprinted in Life Sciences Molecular Biology 2011 Edition.
Several sites have started to use the new nomenclature.
http://www.butterfliesofindia.org/101-charaxini-dp3
http://www.lba.uk.com/Charaxes-Polyura-delphis-concha-MALAYSIA-THAILAND_AKPHD.aspx
http://bie.ala.org.au/species/Tailed+Emperor

I find it convincing, but feel free to use Polyura .

TL Seow:cheers:

[Glorious Begum]

Need help on some IDs below,

1) Terinos clarissa falcata (The Malayan Assyrian).

http://www.pbase.com/lcgoh/image/149241651.jpg

2) Vindula erota erota (Common Cruiser), thanks to Les.

http://www.pbase.com/lcgoh/image/149241655.jpg

3) Rohana parisatis pseudosiamensis (Siamese Black Prince) - Male

http://www.pbase.com/lcgoh/image/149241657.jpg

4) Tanaecia julii xiphiones (Common Earl) - Male

http://www.pbase.com/lcgoh/image/149241660.jpg

5) Elymnias hypermnestra tinctoria (Common Palmfly) - Male

http://www.pbase.com/lcgoh/image/149241662.jpg

[Glorious Begum]

6) Prothoe franck ssp. (Blue Begum)

http://www.pbase.com/lcgoh/image/149241664.jpg

7) Tanaecia julii xiphiones (Common Earl) - Female

http://www.pbase.com/lcgoh/image/149241671.jpg

8) Tirumala septentrionis septentrionis (Dark Blue Tiger) - Male

http://www.pbase.com/lcgoh/image/149241675.jpg


9) Arhopala centaurus nakula (Common Oakblue)

http://www.pbase.com/lcgoh/image/149241693.jpg

10) Arhopala centaurus nakula (Common Oakblue)

http://www.pbase.com/lcgoh/image/149241698.jpg

[Painted Jezebel]

Post 39:

1) Correct
2) Vindula erota erota (Common Cruiser)
3) Rohana parisatis pseudosiamensis (Siamese Black Prince) - Male
4) Tanaecia julii xiphiones (Common Earl) - Male
5) Elymnias hypermnestra tinctoria (Common Palmfly) - Male

Post 40:

6) Prothoe franck ssp. (Blue Begum). The ssp. is difficult to ascertain as KK is at the meeting point of the three known ssp. found in Thailand, and no records are available from that area as far as I can see. In due course, a specimen will need to be collected to confirm which ssp. it is! The strong white forewing stripe on the underside suggests it is more likely to be a southern record of P. franck angelica, but there is very little info on this ssp. (only one record from Tablan, Umphang in 2010.
7) Tanaecia julii xiphiones (Common Earl) - Female
8) Tirumala septentrionis septentrionis (Dark Blue Tiger) - Male
9 & 10) Arhopala centaurus nakula (Common Oakblue)

Nelson, your photos 19, 20 & 21 (Post No. 34) are the same ssp. as found in Malaysia.

I also need to apologise to all about using the wrong English names of the Zebras (you all know that I do not usually use them!). Nelson, your No.13 in post 19 should be Graphium megarus megapenthes (Spotted Zebra). The Lesser Zebra, not yet posted on this thread, in KK, is Graphium macareus burmensis, a different subspecies from that found in Malaysia, which, during the trip I called the Common Zebra, WRONG!!!!.

[Painted Jezebel]

This is the article 2009 ,initially pointed out by Sunny.
http://nymphalidae.utu.fi/Aduse-Pokuetal2009.pdf

This had been reprinted in Life Sciences Molecular Biology 2011 Edition.
Several sites have started to use the new nomenclature.
http://www.butterfliesofindia.org/101-charaxini-dp3
http://www.lba.uk.com/Charaxes-Polyura-delphis-concha-MALAYSIA-THAILAND_AKPHD.aspx
http://bie.ala.org.au/species/Tailed+Emperor

I find it convincing, but feel free to use Polyura .

TL Seow:cheers:

Thank you. I remember, now, the paper. I agree that it is convincing. I think I will need to change my records to Charaxes (Polyura) sps.

[Psyche]

The Thamala marciana subspecies should be ssp sarupa.
http://yutaka.it-n.jp/lyc4/83040030.html
Ssp miniata have extensive orange-red on the upper, extending broadly beyond the cellend.
http://khaoyai.web.fc2.com/butterfly/sijimichou/Thamala-marciana/Thamala-marciana-2.html

TL Seow:cheers:

[Painted Jezebel]

Two more, different, Curetis species, I think! Sorry about the quality, they were not cooperative models.

LD 10- Under and upperside of same specimen.
LD 11- Underside only, the shape of the forewing makes me wonder about Curetis acuta, but I am not sure.

[Psyche]

Ld 10 is C. sperthis. FW band more or less parallel to termen.
Correction : there are no black dots & the undeside band is that of C. saronis ( band in space 1b shifted inwards compared to tagalica)

Ld 11 C. bulis. HW postdiscal band in space lies inwards of that in spce 7; submarginal marks 6 & 7 aligned.
C. acuta is similar in this respect, but the see-thru upper orange is very restricted, ie far from the termen & rather small on both wings.
C. acuta actually has the PD band in space 6 & 7 more or less in line compared to C. bulis.

TL Seow:cheers:

[Painted Jezebel]

Thank you Seow.

Just a suggestion, but this thread is getting quite long. I propose that we start a 'Part 2' thread for the remaining species. I have at least another 20 to show, including some spectacular ones which I am leaving for the end! Any objections, post here, otherwise next post showing new photos should be on a new thread.

[Psyche]

I have made an ID correction, 10 is C. saronis.

TL Seow:cheers:

[Glorious Begum]

Les, Thank you for the IDs. :cheers:

[bluefin]

Les, Seow, Thanks for helping to ID. :)

:cheers:

[Psyche]

Post 40:
20711
6) Prothoe franck ssp. (Blue Begum). The ssp. is difficult to ascertain as KK is at the meeting point of the three known ssp. found in Thailand, and no records are available from that area as far as I can see. In due course, a specimen will need to be collected to confirm which ssp. it is! The strong white forewing stripe on the underside suggests it is more likely to be a southern record of P. franck angelica, but there is very little info on this ssp. (only one record from Tablan, Umphang in 2010.


I did a check on the Yutaka website, & this should be ssp. uniformis.
Ss. uniformis: longer tail; larger FW apical white spots : smaller dark brown area on the hindwing.
Ssp. uniformis.
http://yutaka.it-n.jp/cha/60020010.html
Ssp. angelica.
http://yutaka.it-n.jp/cha/60020020.html

TL Seow:cheers:

[Glorious Begum]

Thank you Dr Seow.